This season is about turning the team over to the young players and hoping they take the reins for the Columbus Blue Jackets' rebuild to gain some traction. Columbus, sporting a home record of 8-5-1, has played well, even in the three losses in front of the home crowd. But at 4-10-2 on the road, the mostly young Blue Jackets must find their footing. This is the tricky part for young teams: how to play as consistently on the road as they do at home.
This season is indeed about young players taking a step in development which has happened. That has led to a 12-12-3 record but being five games under .500 on the road has hindered the Blue Jackets from moving over the .500 mark. So how do the young players achieve more success on the road?
For starters, the Blue Jackets look somewhat hesitant when they do not play at home. That must change. The team must bring more energy and grit on the road than they have shown on home ice. They also need to match the energy and pace that have them above .500 at home.
Listening to head coach Dean Evason, it is a mindset that is no different or should not be other than playing at home. After all, the game of hockey does not change just the arena where it is played. This comes from both young players trusting they can win and applying the same approach they take at home.
In other words, it is learned. The players need to learn to win on the road which in part is also what this season is about. Young players developing, young players learning what it takes to win on the road. With a big road win in Winnipeg to end a Canadian road trip the Blue Jackets played the best road game of the season. That could be the springboard to better and more consistent play away from Nationwide Arena.